Inventors:
Richard J. Mackool - Astoria NY
International Classification:
A61B 1720
Abstract:
A surgical instrument for removing tissue, such as a cataract, from a patient's body includes a hollow vibrating needle surrounded by one or two hollow infusion sleeves. Methods and apparatus for reducing friction between the surface(s) of the sleeve(s) and the outer surface of the needle and/or surrounding ocular tissue are disclosed. Such friction reduction dramatically reduces the amount of heat generated during surgery, thus reducing the possibility of thermal damage to tissue.